Identification system using a portable instrument issuing an external electromagnetic signal

ABSTRACT

A system and method are set forth for tracking activities of a person having on their person an identification instrument which issues coded signals over a limited range. A data base is provided which includes data for the person including biometrical data such as the facial image of the person. When the card is brought into the range of a receiving antenna, the card&#39;s signal is received and processed to access the person&#39;s data including their biometrical data for recognition of the person

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to identification systems andmethods and more particularly to systems and methods for identifying anindividual using a carried instrument which issues an externalelectromagnetic signal.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In casinos it has been known to track the play of players inorder to establish a historical reference or “rating” by which to rewardthe player with “comps” in the form of meals, show tickets or the like.These comps establish goodwill between the player and casino and fostera degree of customer loyalty with the establishment. Current methodsused by the various casinos are limited in scope and capability. Casinosalso rate players sometimes based upon a theoretical win profile (TWP)which represents the revenues received by the casino from that playerbased upon a time frame such as per visit to the casino, per day or thelike. Depending upon the player's TWP or wagering history, the casinomay offer different level comps to a player.

[0003] Traditionally only players playing high stakes table games suchas Blackjack, Craps and Baccarat were tracked because the amounts andfrequency of the wagers warranted special attention to these types ofplayers to encourage their play at the casino. The personal attentionprovided by these traditional tracking and comping policies createdgoodwill for the casino and promoted player loyalty.

[0004] With the growth of gaming as entertainment, casinos have expandedtheir tracking and comping policies to cover more players and to extendthe policy to gaming machine players as well. Modernly, players areissued a player card which includes a machine readable, magnetic stripencoded with data identifying the player. A host processor ispreprogrammed with the player's name, address and card code and aread/write player file is established. When the player wishes to play agaming machine, they insert their card into a card reader at themachine. The reader interfaces with the processor at the machine suchthat each time the player makes a wager at the gaming machine, “comppoints” relating to the amount of the wager are accumulated at themachine processor. Thus these player tracking systems track the level ofplay, i.e. amounts of the wager(s), and award comp points in relationthereto. Additionally the player's TWP is updated. Based upon theaccumulated comp points and/or TWP the player receives meals anddiscounts which promote goodwill and customer loyalty.

[0005] Similarly, and according to the prior art, when a player with aplayer card plays a table game such as Blackjack, they can accumulatecomp points. When the player sits down at a table they hand their cardto the dealer or floor supervisor who passes the card through a readerto open the player's account and establish a gaming session start time.A supervisor such as a pit boss or shift supervisor, from time to time,observes the wagers being made in order to assess an average wager beingmade by the player. When the player leaves the table their card isreturned to them and the supervisor inputs on a local computer terminalthe average bet information based upon the time of play, the averagewager per hand and the average number of hands of play at the table perunit time and any other information thought to be pertinent such as thetypes of wagers made by the player. Comp points are awarded to theplayer's account based on this information.

[0006] Attempts have been made to automate player identification andtracking data information relative to table games. In Bennett et al U.S.Pat. No. 5,586,936 issued Dec. 25, 1996 a player tracking system isshown wherein the player inserts their player tracking card into areader at their seat at the table, the card reader-communicating with ahost processor and local printer that prints a player tracking slipwhich is completed by the floor supervisor.

[0007] A drawback with the magnetic strip card systems described aboveis that the player must hand over the card to be tracked or must insertthe card in a reader while playing. Frequent handling of the cards isnot convenient for the player and many times at the completion of play,the player fails to retrieve their card causing further tracking to notbe possible. Players will have one or more new cards issued furthercomplicating accurate tracking and allowing others to claim comps withthe lost cards. The systems have grown to encompass so many players thatthe personal treatment of the players is lost. It is not possible forthe casino personal to recognize the player so as to approach the playerand greet him/her by name. This is true not only because of the numberof players being tracked but also since the player cards can be passedbetween players. There is no convenient technique to confirm theidentity of the player with the card. Still further, when the playerpresents their card to receive a comp such as a free meal, there is noconvenient method to confirm that the person presenting the card isactually the person entitled to receive the comp. While casino staffcould ask for a photographic identification such as a drivers license,some players may become offended that the casino does not recognize themwithout separate verification of identity. In addition, new casinopersonal who have never met the player have no basis to make a visualidentification of the player in order to make a personal welcome to theplayer.

[0008] There is therefore a need to provide a quick and reliable systemwhich allows passive identification of a player without the need ofhanding over a tracking card or inserting the tracking card in a reader.Also advantageous would be the ability to identify the player withoutrequiring the player to present separate identification to confirmidentity. Such a technique should enable the casino staff to be able tomake a personal greeting to players without ever having met them.

[0009] There is also a need in other commercial settings to provide forpassive identification which may include visual verification of identitysuch as in banking transactions, airline, other security settings andthe like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] There is, therefore, set forth according to the present inventiona system and method for providing for the passive identification of anindividual who is carrying on their person a portable instrument in theform of a card or token that does not require the individual to pass thedevice such as a card through a card reader. Further, a visualverification of the identity of a person is possible by interfacing theabove identification means with a computer display linked to a data basecontaining a stored picture of the individual.

[0011] Accordingly, a system is set forth identifying a person whichincludes a host processor that is adapted to create a data structurethat stores player identification, TWP, comp point and other desireddata for each person to be identified that also includes datarepresentative of a visually distinguishable biometrical feature of theperson such as their facial image.

[0012] The preferred embodiment includes a portable instrument issued toeach person, each instrument including means for issuing an external,identifiable, electromagnetic signal. For example the instrument may bea card which includes a battery powered transponder or transmitteradapted to, in the case of a transponder card when prompted, send adiscrete, coded, electromagnetic or ultrasonic signal of limited range.For a transponding card, a stationary transmitter/receiver sends aninterrogating signal to induce the portable card transponder to transmitit's coded electromagnetic signal which is received by the stationarytransmitter/receiver. For a transmitting card, the card at timedintervals issues it's coded electromagnetic signal to be received by athe receiver. The stationary transmitter/receiver decodes thetransponding signals into data signals corresponding to the individualcard to validate it's authenticity and to correlate the signal with acorresponding player account number. In the preferred embodiments thecard and stationary antennae preferably employ “BLUETOOTH™” wirelessdata transmission protocols and standards as is presently known in theart.

[0013] The stationary transmitter/receiver sends valid data to a localcomputer processor that stores the card code and if requested by floorpersonnel, the code can be sent to a central data processor whichincludes the data structure storing player identification data as wellas the other player data. The central processor is adapted to, from cardcode signals, correlate the code to the account for the individual towhom the card was assigned and recall and display at a suitable localdisplay the player identification data including biometrical data suchas the facial image of the person for verification of the identity ofthe person.

[0014] A primary object of the present invention is to provide atracking system capable of detecting and accurately reporting thepresence of a carried tracking instrument within a defined area ofspace. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trackingsystem capable of functioning when more than one tracking instrument iswithin the defined area at the same time.

[0015] A primary advantage of the present invention is that it providesfor automatic detection and recognition of the person carrying thetracking instrument without any action on the part of that person. Theperson with the card need not physically present the card; they simplyneed to carry it on their person.

[0016] Another advantage is that the system and method permits casinopersonnel to visually identify and personally greet a patron carryingthe transponding card without any action by the player. This enablescasino personnel to verify identity and to offer a personal greeting tothe player thus promoting good will.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features and advantages will become betterappreciated with reference to the description claims and drawingswherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the system according to thepresent invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the player carried instrument; and

[0020]FIG. 3 shows a computer terminal display or hard copy of the typeproduced according to the system and method of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] 1. System Overview

[0022] While the following description sets forth a system and methodaccording to the present invention to be used to track the play of andidentify players in the casino industry, and specifically for trackingthe play of players at Blackjack tables, it is to be understood that thesystem and method could be used to track players playing Baccarat,Craps, Pai Gow or the like. It is also to be understood, that the systemand method according to the present invention can be used to track theplay of players playing slot machines, visiting restaurants, stores,shows and other casino facilities. It should be further understood thatthe system and method could be used in other applications such as in thebanking or security industries.

[0023] When a player desires to be tracked, they register with thecasino at a data entry station. The data entry station is a computerterminal or computer system of the personal or mini computer type knownin the art. As described below the station includes a display and datainput devices such as a keyboard and mouse or touch screen of knownconstruction. A video or digital scanner device and a player instrumentprogrammer is also included.

[0024] When a player registers at the data entry station, casinopersonnel input by the data entry means pertinent player identificationdata such as name, address and the like commonly used in player trackingsystems known in the art. As hereinafter described, to input datarelating to the facial appearance of the player, a digital scanner maybe used to scan a photograph or photographic identification card such asa driver's license containing a photograph. Alternatively, a digitalcamera may be used to acquire data corresponding to the facialappearance of the player. The player identification data thus acquiredis used to establish a player account in a player tracking datastructure created for that purpose. The player's account will furtherinclude a read/write file concerning any player “comp” points awarded tothe player based on the player's wagering activities. A read/writetheoretical win profile (TWP) file may also be created which indicatesthe theoretical revenues received from the player per visit to thecasino consistent with player tracking systems known in the art. Eachplayer's account is assigned an account number which acts as an addressat the player tracking data structure to access the player's data andfor updating the player's “comp” points and/or TWP or other data such asa change of address, name or the like. Thus it can be understood thatthe player's identification data, including facial identification data,is stored at an address in the data structure and is accessible by aunique player account number assigned to the player's account.

[0025] When a player enters the casino, such as when they check-in tothe casino-resort, they are issued a tracking instrument such as atracking card as hereinafter described. This card, in response to aninterrogating signal which preferably is based upon a Bluetoothprotocols and standards, transmits for a limited range a coded signalunique for the card. The card and it's signal code is matched to theplayer's account number when the card is issued to the player. Thus thecard coded signal is matched to a specific player and that player'saccount. When the player leaves the casino at for example the conclusionof their stay, the card is returned and the correlation between thatplayer's account and that card's signal code is terminated so that thecard can be issued to another player.

[0026] It should be understood that many casinos have established playertracking systems based upon machine readable cards or the type referredto in the Background. Thus, for these systems, player account numbershave been assigned. The system according to the present invention can,as described below, be easily integrated into an existing system byproviding the signal emitting instruments hereinafter described andacquiring biometrical data, e.g. a facial picture, of the customer.

[0027] According to the method and system of the present invention, whena player approaches a casino pit area, e.g. a group of Blackjack tables,or sits at a gaming machine, their card is prompted to transmit its codewhereupon player data for this player can be recalled and acquired. Forexample in a pit area, the card code signal may be used by pit personnelto recall from a data storage device (player tracking system data base)the facial image of the player to enable the casino to personally greetthe player. Further the player's play can be tracked without the playerever having to present their card to an attendant.

[0028] In one embodiment, the signal emitting instrument, e.g. card, isa transponder and may be a passive transponder powered by the signalprompting the card to respond with its signal. However, and preferably,the card is battery powered and may act as a transponder or may initiatethe communication with the receiving antenna by periodically issuing itscoded signal. If the signal is received for a predetermined period oftime indicating that the person carrying the card is remaining in thearea of the antenna, the system identifies the card signal, makes thecorrelation to the player's account data to provide access thereto and,if desired, can be accessed to display at a local display the player'sdata including the biometrical data for the player for personnel toconfirm the presence of the player.

[0029] 2. The System

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the system 10 of the present invention isshown. A data entry station 12 is provided for entering of playeraccount data. The data entry station 12 is in communication with a hosta host computer 14. The pertinent player identification data describedabove is entered at the data station 12. Biometrical data such as thefacial image of the player as a scanned image or a digital camera 16photograph is also entered at the data entry station 12. Alternativelythis biometrical data may be acquired later such as when the player isassigned their identification instrument as hereinafter described. Otherdata such as name, address or other player account information isentered with suitable and known data entry means such as a mouse,scanner, touch screen or keyboard 17. A display 18 is provided at thedata entry station 12. The data entry station 12 may be a suitablepersonal computer located, where the system is used to enroll players ata casino, at a player registry booth. The player identificationinformation is then transferred to the host computer 14 and isconfigured for storage into a data structure 19. The player's data isstored under an assigned and unique account number in the datastructure.

[0031] When the customer's activities are to be tracked or accounted foraccording to the present invention, the customer is issued anidentification instrument shown as a tracking card 20. The issuance ofthe tracking card 20 may occur when the player checks-in at the casinohotel or at any time when the player wishes or the casino desires theplayer to have the card 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for a trackingcard 20 which, in lieu of a card may be a token on a bracelet, necklaceor the like suitable for housing the components hereinafter describedand to be issued to and carried by the player. Where the card 20 isconfigured as a transponding card, an electromagnetic signal isperiodically issued by local, stationary transmitters/receivers 54described below and is detected at card antenna 34, and is rectified andfiltered into a direct current by the rectifier and filter 36.Preferably, a frequency of about 2.46 Hz is selected for the signal.Preferably the card 20 is constructed to include a battery power supply(not shown). The direct current then supplies power to the preprogrammedmicro-processing unit 38 that controls the operation and transmission acoded, card-specific, signal stored in card 20 memory 40. Preferablyeach card has stored a unique and discrete signal code, e.g. “xxxxxx”,which identifies the card 20. The signal code may be programmed into thecard 20 by the facility or by the manufacturer. As stated above the codesignal is configured to be operable according to Bluetooth protocols. Inresponse to the card antenna 34 receiving a prompting signal from atransmitter/receiver 54, the card responds by transmitting its uniquecode “xxxxxx”. The signal may be encrypted to prevent counterfeiting orinterference with the signal.

[0032] The signal may be electromagnetic or ultrasonic.

[0033] Again referring to FIG. 1, stationary transmitter/receivers 50are positioned in the areas where tracking using the card 20 is tooccur. For example, a transmitter/receiver 50 may be located in a gamingpit for a casino including several gaming tables 56 as shown. As but anexample, a transmitter/receiver 50 may be located for every group ofthree tables 56. The transmitter/receiver 50 periodically issuesinterrogating signals, also according to Bluetooth protocols, to promptany cards 20 in its area and range of signal, to respond with theircoded signals. The range or field of influence of the interrogatingsignals and card 20 responsive signals may be approximately three feetto three hundred feet depending upon the signal strengths. When the card20 enters the field of influence generated from one of the transmitantennas 54, the card antenna 34 receives an interrogating signal and,if the interrogating signal meets or exceeds a preselected thresholdstrength, i.e. the card 20 is within the selected range, the card 20responds with it's coded signal “xxxxxx” which is received by thereceiving antenna 54 for processing. Based upon the power of the card20, the coded signal may have a limited range of between three to threehundred feet.

[0034] In lieu of multiple transmitter/receivers 50, a singletransmitter may periodically issue interrogating signals and separatelylocated and local receivers receive the transponding signals from cards20 within the limited range of the car's 20 signal strength.

[0035] In lieu of the cards 20 being transponders, i.e. responding onlywhen receiving an interrogating signal, each card 20 my be a transmitterperiodically transmitting its coded signal. When the signal comes withinthe limited range of a receiver 50, the card's 20 coded signal isreceived for processing.

[0036] The signal sent by the card 20 (or transmitter receiver where thecard 20 is a transponder) may also be ultrasonic. An advantage with anultrasonic signal is that if it can be received by multiple receivers,the position of the card 20 may be triangulated based upon the speed ofsound and comparing signals receipt times.

[0037] When the card 20 has issued its coded signal and the same isreceived by a receiver 50, the receiver 50 issues a data signal to alocal processor 60 which may be conveniently located in a casino “pit”near the gaming tables. Each local processor 60 includes a display 62,computer 64 and a keyboard 66 for data entry. When a card 20 signal isreceived, the local processor 60 processes the signals to determineauthenticity and to compare the signal data to stored parameters todetermine whether a tracked player is likely gaming in the local pitarea and to identify the player. For example, the signals from the card20 may be required to be of a predetermined strength and duration toresult in a determination that the person with the card is in the area,has remained in the area and thus is likely engaged in a gaming activitysuitable for tracking. For example, if the card 20 signal is weak and ofa short duration, the player is most likely passing by the pit area.

[0038] If the parameters are met, the local processor 60 accesses thehost processor 14 and the player's account. When the player was issuedthe card 20, the card 20 signal code was, at the data entry station 12for example, at the data structure 19 tied or keyed to the player'saccount such that when the system 10 detects the card 20 signal thosesignals correspond to a particular player having a discrete accountstored at the data structure. The local processor 60 recalls data at thelocal processor display 62 for pit personnel to view. If the player'sgaming activities are to be tracked or the pit personnel wish to greetthe player, the player's biometrical data, e.g. facial image, may berecalled at the display 62 so that the player can be recognized. Otherdata may also be recalled such as the dates of the players last visitand the like. Thus the pit personnel may look for the player in the areaand offer a personal greeting. By requiring the casino personnel tomatch the displayed picture of the player with the player, the personnelwill more likely remember the player.

[0039] If the casino wishes to track the player's gaming activities, aplayer tracking slip as suggested in FIG. 3 may be printed out at alocal processor 60 printer 70 for tracking data to written down by thecasino personnel. This slip, at the conclusion of the gaming session bythe player is completed and turned in to a data processing departmentfor entry to update the player's account data. Alternatively the datamay be entered at the local processor 60 by the keyboard 66 or by touchscreen technology. That is the pit staff may monitor wagering levels andthe play of the player and when the player leaves, enter the pertinentdata at the local processor 60.

[0040] The data may be transmitted between the local processors 60 andhost processor 19 as well as between the receivers 50 and localprocessors 60 by wired or wireless communication.

[0041] When the player concludes their stay, they return their issuedcard 20. Personnel enter the system 10 and terminate the relationshipbetween the card's 20 code and that player's account so the the card maybe issued to another player.

[0042] While the system described herein operates complete unto itself,it can also be interfaced to existing player data bases and computernetworks presently installed in gaming establishments. The hardwareinterface is through a standard RS-232 communications port to the modeminterface box. Software drivers will be required to allow the existingcomputer program to receive tracking numbers from the modem interface.

[0043] Although the invention has been described in detail withparticular reference to these embodiments, other embodiments can achievethe same results. Variations and modifications of the present inventionwill be obvious to those skilled in-the art and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications. For example, as statedabove, the system of the present invention could also be implementedinto the banking and security industries. In the banking industry, forexample, a customer would be issued a card of the type described above.When at an automatic teller machine or cashier's counter, an antennawould transmit a signal causing the card to transpond with thecustomer's account number and file including data identifying theindividual such as a facial image. This data can be stored for purposesof confirming a transaction at an automatic teller machine or displayedfor a teller to confirm the identity of the individual.

We claim:
 1. A system for identifying a person comprising: a hostprocessor including a data structure, said data structure storing playeridentification data for each person to be identified including datarepresentative of a biometrically distinguishable physical feature ofthe person; a portable instrument issued to each person, each instrumentincluding a transmitter for issuing an identifiable signal, said datastructure storing data correlating each signal with the person carryingthe instrument; a receiver to receive said signals and to generate datasignals corresponding thereto to said processor; said processor adaptedto, from said data signals, identify each person recall said playeridentification data; and a display for displaying for each identifiedplayer said person identification data including said physical featuredata for identification of the person with said instrument.
 2. A systemfor identifying a person comprising: a host processor including a datastructure storing player identification data for each person to beidentified including data representative of the facial appearance of theperson; a portable instrument issued to each person, each instrumentincluding means for issuing an identifiable signal, said data structurestoring data correlating each signal the person to whom the instrumentwas issued; a receiver to receive said signals and to provide datasignals corresponding thereto to the processor, said processor adaptedto, from said data signals, identify the instrument and recall saidplayer identification data; and a display for displaying at a displayfor each identified player said person identification data includingsaid facial appearance for identification of the person with saidinstrument.
 3. A system for generating a player tracking slip fortracking the play of a player playing a table wagering game comprising:a host processor including a data structure storing playeridentification data for each player including data representative of thefacial appearance of the player; a player tracking instrument issued toeach player each including means for issuing an identifiableelectromagnetic signal, said data structure storing data correlatingeach electromagnetic signal with the instrument issued to that player; areceiver to receive said external electromagnetic signals and togenerate data signals corresponding thereto and provide said datasignals to the processor, said processor adapted to, from said datasignals, identify the instrument each player at the table and recallsaid player identification data; and means for displaying for eachidentified player a player tracking slip including player identificationdata including said facial appearance data.
 4. The system of claim 3wherein the player tracking instrument is a card.
 5. The system of claim4 wherein the card includes a passive transmitting circuit activated byan external base signal and adapted to issue said electromagneticsignal, said system further including a transmitter for issuing saidbase signal for generating said base signal.
 6. The system of claim 3wherein said display includes a printer to print said image andidentification data on a printed tracking slip.
 7. The system of claim 3wherein said receiver means generates a data signal to identify thelocation of the receiver.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the systemincludes a receiver proximate each table, said data signal adapted toidentify the player's table.
 9. The system of claim 4 wherein the tablehas player positions, the system including a receiver proximate eachposition and adapted to generate a data signal to identify the player'stable and position.
 10. A system for generating a player tracking slipfor tracking the play of a player playing a table wagering gamecomprising: a host processor including a data structure having storedtherein for each player data including player information data andplayer facial data representing the facial image of the player; a playertracking instrument issued to each player each adapted to issue a codedsignal, said data structure including for each player data correlatingthe signal of the instrument issued to the player to the player's data;a receiver to receive said issued signals and for generating a datasignal to the host processor to identify each signal, said hostprocessor adapted to process the data signal to identify the player datacorresponding to said signal; a display for displaying for eachidentified player a player tracking slip including player identificationdata and said facial image data.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein saiddisplaying means includes means to print said identification data andfacial image data on a tracking slip.
 12. The system of claim 10 whereinsaid receiving includes an antenna disposed proximate the table occupiedby the player.
 13. The system of claim 12 further including saidreceiver generating signals to identify its location.
 14. The system ofclaim 13 including said receiver adapted to generate said data signal toinclude data to identify the location of the table receiving said issuedsignals.
 15. A system for generating a player tracking slip for trackingthe play of players playing a wagering games comprising: a hostprocessor having a data structure including for each player (i) playeridentification data (ii) facial image data and (iii) player historicaldata; an identification card issued to each player including atransmitter means to issue an electromagnetic signal encoded with carddata to identify the card; an antenna adapted to receive and send saidcard data to said host processor, said processor adapted to identify theplayer-owner of the card and access the corresponding data from saiddata structure for that player; and a display for displaying a playertracking slip including at least said player identification and facialimage data.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said display includes aprinter adapted to print a tracking slip including player identificationand facial image data.
 17. A system for generating a player trackingslip for tracking the play of players playing one of a plurality ofwagering games in a casino comprising: a host processor having a datastructure including for each player (i) player identification data (ii)facial image data and (iii) player historical data; an identificationcard issued to each player including means to issue a signal encodedwith card data to identify the card; an antenna disposed proximate eachwagering game and adapted to receive and send said card data to saidhost processor, said processor identifying the location of the antennaand, from said card data, identify the player-owner of the card andaccess said data from said data structure; a printer for printing aplayer tracking slip including at least said player identification andfacial image data.
 18. A method for generating a player tracking slipfor tracking the play of a gambler playing a wagering game, said slip tobe completed by casino personnel for rating of a player, said methodcomprising: providing a host processor having a data structure; for eachplayer to be tracked, storing player identification data into theprocessor data structure; issuing to each player to be tracked atransportable tracking instrument including a device adapted to issue aninstrument specific data signal; receiving said data signals at areceiver; the receiver sending said data signals received from thereceiver to said processor, said processor correlating said receivedsignal to an individual player and recalling from the data structuresaid player identification data; and displaying a player tracking slipincluding at least a portion of said player identification data.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 including storing as said player identification datarepresenting the name and address of the player and player facialidentification data.
 20. The method of claim 18 including issuing to theplayer an identification instrument including a transmitting circuitperiodically issuing said signal.
 21. The method of claim 18 includingidentifying the location of the game played by the identified player.22. The method of claim 21 including positioning a receiver proximatethe wagering game and identifying the position of the receiver.
 23. Amethod for generating a player tracking slip for tracking the play of agambler playing one of a plurality of wagering games, said slip to becompleted by casino personnel for rating of a player, said methodcomprising: providing a host processor having a data structure; for eachplayer to be tracked, storing player identification data includingpersonal data and facial appearance data into the processor datastructure; issuing to each player to be tracked a transportable trackinginstrument including a device adapted to issue an instrument specificelectromagnetic data signal; receiving said data signals at a receiverlocated proximate the game being played by the player; the receiversending said data signals received from the receiver to said processor,said processor locating the position of the receiver, correlating saidreceived signal to an individual player and recalling from the datastructure said player identification data; and displaying a playertracking slip including at least a portion of said player identificationdata.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the displaying step includesprinting said portion of the player identification data at a printer.